My body goes stiff at the tone behind the Master Informer’s words. I know better than to refuse him an answer, the being of who he is and the nature of the work he does not lost on me.
“This village…” I tread carefully, holding his stare, “it’s too quiet to rest on the edge of a forest that borders foreign lands.”
I think I see Keane smile from the corner of my eyes but continue to watch Desmond.
“This is a village where those from Warrior come to rest and retire,” he scowls.
“Then where are they?” I ask steadily.
Lord Daniel chuckles. “Curious and cunning,” he gives a small laugh, “but I thought I heard the Prince tell you at dinner last night that the majority of townsfolk work at the mills.”
“I’ve seen those mills,” I huff in frustration now, “they had a solid twenty men working them, not enough to fill half the townhomes and cottages you have lined off the Great Road.”
Both Desmond and Lord Daniel glance quietly at the Prince in question. Keane continues to watch me, his shoulders shrugging in reply to their gazes.
“She found the mills late this morning. Interrogated Yara’s boy for directions.”
“Idid notinterrogate him” I sigh.
“Of course you didn’t, Lady,” Keane grins.
“The mills weren’t enough to satisfy your curiosity then, Lady Alexis?” Lord Daniel returns his gaze to mine in genuine question.
I shake my head and glance back at Golem, “hence tonight.”
“What do you mean when you say this town is too quiet to rest on the edge of a forest that borders foreign lands?” Desmond inquires coolly.
Leave it to Disce’s Master Informer to pry into that comment.
I tread carefully again and hold his gaze as steady as I can.
“Who is here to protect the patrons of Fumagalli?”
“The forest surrounding the village offers protection enough, Lady Alexis,” Lord Daniel answers for Desmond.
I laugh at the statement and reach for the canteen under my cloak. “Ah yes, the forest that puts everyone to sleep.”
Keane is on me with his Discerni speed before the bottle can even touch my lips. He grabs my hand and lifts the drink to his nose, his eyes dancing across mine.
“Coffee,” he announces to the men behind him.
I glare at the Prince from under my hood, watching him give me a small wink before he returns to his spot between the Lords as if he’d never left.
“Clever,” Lord Daniel smiles, “but I still don’t think she’s satisfied by our answers.”
“Nor am I by hers,” Desmond replies, eyes narrowing yet again, “why would a Lady from the Court of Knowledge be interested in another Court’s protection?”
“I’m not spying on you,” I tell him angrily.
“Your actions suggest otherwise,” he replies curtly.
“Look,” I continue with a sigh, exasperated with this conversation, “it doesn’t take an outsider much to notice the inconsistencies of this village. Or maybe it does,” I shrug, “I don’t know. But anyone with two eyes and their wits about them can see that this village lacks a certain form of defense and protection should anything unwanted come down the road.”
“And now she’s talking of defense,” Desmond lifts a brow.
“You have three other outsiders from Knowledge with you, Lady Alexis,” Lord Daniel looks at me curiously, “why haven’t they made out what you have?”
My heart quite literally stops at the question as I slowly turn my gaze to the Prince. He’s watching me quietly, his eyes taunting.
